Introduction
Creating furniture from reclaimed wood is one of the most rewarding activities for any DIY enthusiast. In this article, I’ll walk you through how I built a floor lamp using a log I found on the beach. This project blends creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship. The result is a unique piece full of character and natural charm.
Preparing the Driftwood Log
1. Cutting the Ends
I started by cutting both ends of the log to even them out and decide on the most stable and aesthetically pleasing orientation. This ensures a flat base and a clean top for wiring.
2. General Cleaning
Using a wire brush and compressed air, I removed sand, salt, and debris from the surface. It’s important to clean the wood thoroughly before working on it to avoid tool damage or finish issues.
3. Removing Knots
I used a multitool to cut off protruding knots, revealing the inner grain and texture shaped by long exposure to the sea.
4. First Sanding
A first sanding pass with 80 grit helped smooth out splinters and bring out the warm tones of the wood, enhanced by salt and sun.
Technical Work and Assembly Steps
5. Using Natural Cracks
I decided to use a natural crack in the log to hide the power cord, avoiding the need for visible drilling and preserving the organic feel.
6. Making the Base
After measuring the diameter of the log, I cut a base from solid wood at the table saw. The base adds stability and completes the overall design.
7. Drilling for the Threaded Pipe
I used a hole saw to drill a center hole in the base to insert the threaded pipe that would support the light socket.
8. Cable Hole at the Top
I drilled the top of the log to check that the power cord could pass through without obstruction.
9. Carving the Recess for the Log
After gluing the base together, I traced the outline of the log and used a spiral up & down cut router bit to carve a snug recess for it.
10. Side Hole for the Cable
Although I forgot to record this step, I also drilled a side hole in the base to allow the power cord to exit discreetly.
Wiring and Final Assembly
11. Cutting the Threaded Pipe
Using a Dremel, I cut the pipe to the correct length, installed the E27 lamp holder, and prepared for wiring.
12. Electrical Wiring
I connected the lamp holder and a foot switch to the power cord, tested the circuit, and I’m happy to report: it worked perfectly!
13. Finishing the Base
I performed a final sanding with 180 grit, then applied a water-based white wood stain, which brightened the base and complemented the driftwood.
Final Touches and Mounting
14. Mounting the Lampshade
I added a temporary lampshade (a bit too small for the log’s scale, but good enough for demonstration). The lamp was now structurally and electrically complete.
15. Securing the Log
To finalize the build, I drilled four pilot holes and secured the log to the base using wood screws and wood glue for extra strength.
16. Final Thoughts
The lamp is now fully functional, original, and handmade. Every step in the process was tailored to highlight the natural beauty and uniqueness of reclaimed beach wood.
Materials and Tools I Used
If you want to try a similar project, here are affiliate links to the tools and supplies I used:
- Water-based white wood stain – Amazon.it
- E27 lamp holder with threaded pipe – Amazon.it
- Up & down spiral router bit – Amazon.it
- Foot switch – Amazon.it
- Orbital sander – Amazon.it
These are affiliate links: they cost you nothing but help support my channel and future projects. Thank you!
Conclusion
This lamp started as a simple log on the beach, and now it’s a beautiful, functional light fixture with soul. I hope this guide inspires you to try your own version. You can find the finished lamp for sale in the shop section of the website.
Thanks for reading—and if you’d like to support my work, feel free to share.